Published: Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 12:10 a.m.

Vandebilt High School's cheerleading competition team won big in its division at state competitions this year.

The 20-member Division II cheerleading squad, led by cheer captain and Vandebilt senior Elizabeth Bown, placed first in three different competitions this year.

The team won in the high school and grand champion division at the Mardi Gras Nationals in New Orleans. It also won the Southwestern Cheerleading Association National Cheer Competition in Baton Rouge and the NFL Super Bowl Cheer and Dance Competition in New Orleans.

"Our team this year has a lot of talent," said Kayla Vicknair, Vandebilt competition cheerleading coach. "We have really good girls, and I think if we went to nationals they would have done well."

Vandebilt's competition cheerleading team only attends the national competition in Disney World every other year to ensure the girls don't miss too much school, Vicknair said.

Vicknair said the girls didn't make it far last year, but this year the girls on the squad are "dedicated and committed with a whole lot of talent."

"The girls practiced all year-round," she said. "They are all really close and a great group of girls."

<p>Vandebilt High School's cheerleading competition team won big in its division at state competitions this year. </p><p>The 20-member Division II cheerleading squad, led by cheer captain and Vandebilt senior Elizabeth Bown, placed first in three different competitions this year. </p><p>The team won in the high school and grand champion division at the Mardi Gras Nationals in New Orleans. It also won the Southwestern Cheerleading Association National Cheer Competition in Baton Rouge and the NFL Super Bowl Cheer and Dance Competition in New Orleans.</p><p>"Our team this year has a lot of talent," said Kayla Vicknair, Vandebilt competition cheerleading coach. "We have really good girls, and I think if we went to nationals they would have done well." </p><p>Vandebilt's competition cheerleading team only attends the national competition in Disney World every other year to ensure the girls don't miss too much school, Vicknair said.</p><p>Vicknair said the girls didn't make it far last year, but this year the girls on the squad are "dedicated and committed with a whole lot of talent."</p><p>"The girls practiced all year-round," she said. "They are all really close and a great group of girls."</p>